SM-55 Cuisinart Stand Mixer Review

Is it just me, or does the SM-55 Cuisinart stand mixer look like a sewing machine? Maybe I love my Artisan’s retro look so much that I can’t see beyond it. On the other hand, rabid fans don’t seem to care one way or the other about its appearance.

With its sleek design and clean lines, the Cuisinart 5.5 quart stand mixer seems to vie for attention, and what better way to get just that than make yourself the hub of activity in the kitchen?

Connect blender, food processor, citrus juicer, pasta maker or meat grinder attachments to this mixer, and you have just eliminated the need for five other small appliances. Very smart!

SM-55 Cuisinart Stand Mixer Features

Head Type

Powerful Motor

This is where Cuisinart stand mixers truly shine. Featuring a powerful 800-watt motor housed in durable die-cast metal, the Cuisinart SM-55 stand mixer certainly has the power to handle the most demanding mixing tasks thrown at it, including heavy dough.

Hope that got your attention – I can see the Breadmakers’ Brigade (BB) grinning like the proverbial cat that got the cream! 😉

The bowl has two handles to make it easier to hold the bowl while scraping or removing the contents. A bowl pad slipped under the bowl prevents it getting wedged with use and makes it easier to remove.

Accessories

Included with the Cuisinart SM-55 stand mixer are four accessories: a chef’s whisk, a flat mixing paddle, a dough hook (with non-stick coating) and a splashguard with pour spout to help prevent splatter. The splashguard very cleverly attaches to the head of the Cuisinart stand mixer so it’s out of the way when you lift the mixer head to reach into the bowl.

Mixing Speeds

The Cuisinart SM-55 stand mixer offers a selection of 12 speeds. A slow-start function assists in eliminating splatter for the most delicate ingredients, while an ultra-gentle fold function provides two options: blend delicate ingredients with the continuous option, or combine with the pulse option.

Timer

Another nifty addition to Cuisinart stand mixers is the 15-minute countdown timer with automatic shutoff which conveniently frees you to tend to other tasks without worrying about time. The On/Off button is useful for foods that do not require a lot of mixing.

Attachment Power Outlets

Three power outlets (two on the top and one on the front) allow you to connect optional attachments according to the individual attachment’s power, turning the Cuisinart SM-55 into much more than a stand mixer.

The high-speed power outlet located on top of the stand mixer at the rear allows you to connect the blender and food processor attachments;

The mid-speed power outlet located in front of the above on top of the stand mixer connects to the citrus juicer attachment;

The slow-speed power outlet hidden behind a cover on the front of the stand mixer head is for the pasta maker and the meat grinder attachments.

Each of these Cuisinart mixer attachments connects to one of the three power outlets on the mixer (two on the top and one on the front) to let you process food, blend, squeeze juice from citrus fruit, make your own pasta, or grind a variety of meats.

Cuisinart Stand Mixer Reviews: SM-55 Pros

With a few hundred reviews, the Cuisinart SM-55 clearly drags behind KitchenAid mixers, though users are also very happy with this appliance and stress the following strong points:

Tilt-Head Design

This design offers easy access to both bowl and accessories.

Bowl

The 5.5 quart bowl can handle double, sometimes triple recipes.

Timer with Automatic Shutoff

The timer frees you up to do other things, and the automatic shutoff comes in handy if the unit overheats.

Cleaning

Cuisinart stand mixers are easy to clean with a damp cloth and dry, and both bowl and accessories are dishwasher safe (accessories go on top rack). It’s worth noting that the tools/accessories have non-stick coating for easy cleanup.

Dimensions

The Cuisinart SM-55 is 12.5” high and should fit under most top cabinets, which is a good thing since it weighs 25.5 pounds.

Power

800 watts of power is impressive to say the least and should be more than enough to handle heavy dough.

Optional Attachments

Five attachments greatly increase the versatility of this Cuisinart stand mixer.

Cuisinart Stand Mixer Review: SM-55 Cons

Construction

Some people remark that this stand mixer lacks the KitchenAid mixers’ solid, all-metal feel they are accustomed to.

Bowl

Some find the bowl too narrow, and the double handle is not user-friendly. Others appreciate how easy it is to pry the bowl from the base even after mixing heavy dough. However, the open sections in the bottom of the bowl are also likely to trap ingredients.

Color Selection

Certainly limited compared to the KitchenAid, though it is available in three basic colors to coordinate with any kitchen décor.

Accessories

Three major complaints specifically target Cuisinart stand mixer accessories:
. some ingredients get trapped on top of the dough hook and whisk “shield” due to poor ‘inverted umbrella’ design;
. mixing double batches can cause the batter to rise above the paddle so that the top of the batter does not get mixed properly;
. beater can fall off the unit when trying to remove batter with a spatula.

Attachments

As discussed above, Cuisinart stand mixer attachments connect to three power outlet sources. The blender, food processor and citrus juicer attachments connect to two power outlets located on top of the mixer. I think this presents two serious issues.

The top of the 10.5” high blender attachment sitting on top of the mixer would reach almost two feet above your counter top. Fair warning to the vertically challenged and weak shouldered!

And what happens if you don’t secure the lid of the blender properly, or you simply forget to put it on? Margarita mix in those power outlets could give your mixer – and you – a major headache!

Manufacturing

Made in China

Warranty

The warranty seems to be this Cuisinart stand mixer’s Achilles heel. While those who have had no problem with their SM-55 mixer praise the three-year product warranty, others owners who have not been so lucky seem less than impressed with Cuisinart’s customer service.

Getting your mixer repaired can be a chore: first, you need to send a $10 check/money order to Cuisinart to cover their shipping the unit back to you. You then have to pay to ship your 25.5LB mixer to Cuisinart and then wait for 4-6 weeks for repairs to be done.

You may also need to do battle if a customer representative decrees that your warranty has expired, based on the manufacturing date of your unit. Keep your receipt in a safe place, as your warranty should come into effect on the date you purchased your mixer, not the day it was born – it’s not a life insurance policy!!!

Cuisinart Stand Mixer Best Price

The best price for the Cuisinart 5.5 qt stand mixer can usually be found at Amazon and often includes free shipping.

Our Recommendation

Many Cuisinart SM-55 stand mixer owners are extremely satisfied with their choice, with the majority giving it a high rating. They are particularly impressed with the power of their mixer and its ability to handle making dough.

So if you have a passion for home baked bread or pizza (or maybe cinnamon buns), there may be a Cuisinart stand mixer in your future…!

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Mealtimes became annoying interruptions as visions of cooking lessons in Italy or the South of France gave way to an obsession with my computer. That’s when I put ‘my little chefs’ to work, drastically cutting down on prep time without sacrificing quality. Et voilà – problem solved! 😉

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